Estonia Accuses Russia of Major Airspace Breach as NATO Jets Intercept – 19 Sept 2025

Estonia Accuses Russian Jets of Brazen Airspace Violation

On 19 September 2025, Estonia announced that three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets violated its sovereign airspace in what officials called the most serious breach in years.

According to the Estonian Ministry of Defence, the aircraft entered Estonian territory near Vaindloo Island over the Gulf of Finland and remained inside for roughly 12 minutes.

Estonian air-defense radars tracked the jets, which were flying without filed flight plans, with transponders switched off, and ignored repeated calls from Estonian air-traffic control.

Officials stressed that such actions pose a direct threat to civil aviation and contravene international aviation law.

NATO responded immediately.

Italian F-35 fighters operating under NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission intercepted the Russian aircraft and escorted them back into international airspace.

Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna condemned the move as a “brazen and unprecedented act,” noting that this was already the fourth airspace intrusion Estonia has recorded in 2025.

Tallinn summoned the Russian ambassador to lodge a formal protest and warned that repeated violations risk serious escalation.

Tsahkna stated, “Challenging our skies means challenging the entire NATO alliance. Estonia will defend every inch of its airspace.”

The incident comes amid heightened tensions across the Baltic region.

Recent Russian-Belarusian joint military exercises and drone incursions into Polish airspace have raised alarm among NATO members, who see a pattern of deliberate pressure on the alliance’s eastern flank.

Moscow has denied any wrongdoing.

The Russian Ministry of Defence claimed the aircraft were operating strictly within international airspace and called Estonia’s accusations “unfounded,” demanding evidence to the contrary.

Security analysts warn that even a short, unannounced intrusion can have dangerous consequences.

“An encounter of this kind increases the risk of miscalculation or accident,” said one regional defense expert.

They add that repeated incidents could spark a broader military confrontation if not carefully managed.

In response, Estonia has pledged to strengthen its air-defense network and maintain close coordination with NATO allies.

The alliance has confirmed it will keep a heightened presence in the Baltic states and “take all necessary measures to protect member territory.”

This latest violation underscores the fragile state of European security and highlights the critical role of collective defense as Russia and the West remain locked in a tense standoff.